Before the advent of the World Wide Web in the early nineties, most conversations people had took place in person or on the phone. You could see the body language or at least hear the tone of voice of the person to whom you were talking. You could detect nuances in their manner and expression, and usually it was pretty easy to understand what they were saying. Then along came the internet, which has taken over a large part of the lives of Americans and people all over the world. Now you can e-mail, facebook, instant message, or blog your conversations instead of having them face-to-face.
Is this a good thing? Personally, I love communicating on the internet for several reasons. I can keep in touch with people who live hundreds of miles away, and I can communicate very quickly and efficiently with people who live across campus. Frankly, it’s easier to send a quick e-mail to a professor than to walk to his office. The internet gives me options as to who I am able to talk to and how much time I choose to spend talking to them.
On the flip side, I despise the internet because it makes me an anti-social person to a degree. I don’t have to approach people and talk to them in person; simple questions don’t turn into long conversations in which I learn about the other person and connect with them in a meaningful way. Now it seems that deep conversations don’t just spring up naturally; sometimes they have to be forced.
Some people say that the internet is ruining the social skills of American children, for reasons I listed above. Kids can stay holed up in their rooms and chat with people online for hours, even though they will never make eye contact with them. Other people say that social interaction on the internet is just as legitimate as social interaction in person, and that our generation is simply finding a new way to communicate. They say in order for a kid to succeed, he needs to be well-acquainted with internet communication and conduct.
I personally think both sides are right. Yes, the internet is injuring some very valuable aspects of face-to-face communication. Yes, the internet is a fabulous resource and a legitimate source of social interaction. Yes, things are changing, and our generation will simply have to learn to balance internet communication with the traditional form.
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I completely agree with the above, especially concerning the loss of the nuances of communication on with the Internet. I tend to use a lot of sarcasm when I talk to people, and that really doesn't convey itself well in things like instant messaging, blog posts, and emails. Having to clarify my intent by placing a "JK", thats just kidding for clarification, after every one of 'witty' remarks really takes something away from them. Face-to-Face communication should always be important and hopefully things like Skype and Google Video Talk will help keep it that way, even in the age of txt spk and internet jargon.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to this blog and to Porter's comment, I'm in complete agreement. The loss of face to face communication in a way detracts from our social abilities. In ten years, will the the generation that's growing up with all this technology be able to detect the subtle nuances in body language and inflections of the voice? I highly doubt they would be as able to as those of our generation and of the older generation.
ReplyDeleteThere have been occasions when I'm texting when I have to send a text clarifying that I was being sarcastic, or questioning if someone was being sarcastic with me, and that does take away from the remarks.
In a way, I think we really need to learn how to have self-control when it comes to technology. Who wants to spend all day, every day, in front of the computer? The sad answer is that a lot of people do. I enjoy reading a book outside when the weather is great, and there are people turning quickly into albinos from the lack of sunshine and outdoor activities. Really, I could go on and on about this subject, but the matter is that when it comes to technology and the internet, eventually we need to reach some sort of limit. But right now, it seems to be limitless with the amount of potential there is for technology, and as one other blogger posted, I hope Orwell wasn't right about the future.
Sarah, you are exactly right! There are definitely two sides to the debate over Internet communication, and both have legitimate validity to them. The internet makes it so that it is no longer necessary for people to have face-to-face interaction with each other. When it comes to communicating with people who I no longer live near or with whom I have limited interactions, the Internet is a perfect way for me to carry on relationships with them. However, it also gives me the opportunity to be lazy. I take advantage of the Internet to avoid having to go meet somebody somewhere to talk to them. I believe that the challenge for people who live in a society where the Internet has become a prime means of communication is to keep valuing direct personal interaction and to take advantage of it as often as we can.
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